S&S announced plans to open a new 500,000-square-foot distribution center in the Phoenix metro area as part of its broader effort to expand and modernize its North American distribution network. he facility is expected to begin operations in late summer 2027.
S&S said the new site will expand capacity across the West and Southwest and allow the company to position more inventory closer to customers in those regions.
The Phoenix distribution center will be fully automated and will use goods-to-person technology designed to bring products directly to team members during fulfillment.
The company said the automation is intended to improve the speed and efficiency of order processing.
The facility will also incorporate S&S’s proprietary ZeroTouch technology, which uses box-level and garment-level QR codes to streamline receiving for customers.
The system is designed to help customers move products into production more quickly after delivery.
S&S said the Phoenix project is part of a broader strategy focused on expanding capacity while increasing the use of automation and technology across its distribution network.
The company has invested more than $200 million in distribution automation.
S&S said those investments have helped increase productivity, support 99.9% order accuracy, and create a network capable of reaching approximately 98% of customers within one to two days.
The company is also expanding its distribution infrastructure in Canada.
In June, S&S announced plans to move to a larger facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, more than doubling its footprint in that market.
The Vancouver site is expected to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2026.
That facility is expected to add approximately 20,000 pick locations and introduce autonomous mobile robots.
S&S also plans to support the Vancouver expansion with an estimated $50 million investment in inventory.
The company said the broader expansion strategy is intended to support customer growth by increasing inventory availability, fulfillment capacity, and operational efficiency.
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, S&S distributes branded merchandise across North America.
The company works with more than 80 brands and operates a broad distribution network serving customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
KEY QUOTES:
“We’re excited to establish a presence in the Phoenix area and invest in a region that is increasingly important to our business. As our customers find new ways to move their businesses forward, we must keep evolving alongside them. This facility will help us better support our current customers, reach new ones and build on the strong momentum we’ve created across our distribution network.”
Frank Myers, Chief Executive Officer of S&S
“This is about building a stronger network for what comes next. We will continue investing in the inventory, capacity and technology that help our customers grow and operate more efficiently.”
Josh Clark, Chief Operating Officer of S&S
